"I want to change the issue of not only finding the repair of dementia but also the preventative medicine. So I can do that by coming on your programme, unless we do that it is not going to go any further."

Sir Jackie admitted that he didn't spot any signs of his wife's disease saying: "I personally didn't notice until she was diagnosed. Now we think about it there was something wrong a few years ago that [his sons] recognised but I failed too."

The sports legend said that his family, his two sons Paul and Mark, were always there to support their mother when he was away but was hopeful that something could be done.

As presenter Phillip Schofield asked: "You're a lifelong winner, so this must be difficult for you. It's not something that you can personally win?"